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They Told Me to Give Up My Dream—Here’s How I Built a Billion-Dollar Company Anyway | Payal Kadakia (Fan Fav)

Author
Impact Theory
Published
Sun 01 Jun 2025
Episode Link
None

Fan Favorite: This episode originally aired on: February 16, 2022. What up, homies! It's your girl Lisa Bilyeu, and welcome back to the Women of Impact podcast, where we dig deep, break down barriers, and build the life of our dreams! Today, I'm bringing you a mega-inspiring convo with a true force of nature, Payal Kadakia!

Guys, if you've ever felt tethered by expectations or like the world is pulling you away from your true passion—listen up. Payal Kadakia, the brains and the beating heart behind ClassPass, is here to drop some serious wisdom. She's navigated the complexities of cultural identity and societal pressures to create a billion-dollar company—all while staying true to her love for dance! It’s all about finding your freedom train and getting the hell off the one that doesn’t serve you.

We're diving into the expectations train, exploring how Payal hit the brakes on what she 'should' do and started carving her own unique path. Trust me; this episode is all about unlocking your identity, embracing your true calling, and being bold enough to pursue it.

So, whether you’re an entrepreneur at heart fighting against the tide or someone who’s ready to just own your unique self, Payal’s story is the blueprint you’ve been waiting for!

SHOWNOTES

00:00 Dance: A Path to Personal Fulfillment

05:13 Living Authentically Without Guilt

07:43 "From Corporate to Entrepreneur: A Journey"

09:56 Embracing Dual Identity Through Dance

13:48 Balancing Dual Communities

16:22 Dance Teacher Role Reversal

21:42 Overcoming Pressure to Prioritize Ambition

22:36 Setting Boundaries for Emotional Health

27:14 "Finding Your True North"

30:32 Embracing Risk with a Plan B

32:41 "Living by 'Must' Drives Success"

38:48 Embracing Emotions, Reviving Momentum

41:47 Cultural Passion Fuels Unicorn Success

44:39 "Facing Failure Head-On"

45:54 "Transform Fear into Action"

50:25 Overcoming Self-Doubt in Business

54:08 Balancing Professional and Personal Success

55:54 Quarterly Goal-Setting for Impact

59:02 "Check Out This Book!"

FOLLOW PAYAL KADAKIA:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/payal/

Website: https://lifepassbook.com/

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